2021 Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon

About 2021 Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon:

This Cabernet aims to showcase the best of Paso and its unique qualities, including its beautiful landscape, ideal growing conditions, and abundant potential. The goal is to produce a wine that is truly representative of the region’s unique terroir and climate.

Tasting Notes:

Dark ruby in color, the 2021 Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon expresses aromas of freshly picked black currants, ripe and blackberries, with subtle notes of violets, mocha and dried spices. On the palate, it’s a luscious modern-styled wine layered with an abundance of juicy olallieberry and cherry fruit, while nuances of cedar, clove, nutmeg and vanilla bean round out the long smooth finish. Full-bodied and rich, balanced by fresh acidity and integrated, polished tannins.

Barrel Selection:

The lots were aged separately for 11 months in a combination of 10% new, 25% once used, and 65% two to three times used French Oak. This blend was aged for two additional months in 75% new and 25% once used French Oak. The wine was racked just twice during its cellar life, with the final racking occurring just prior to bottling.

Growing Notes:

The source of Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon is from nine of the eleven districts in the Paso Robles AVA: each region contributing unique characteristics to the depth of the final wine. The Estrella district known for its loamy and gravely river plain slopes and canyons.

Creston, known for its large daily diurnal swings aided by the Templeton Gap maritime breezes that make it to the Creston area by early afternoon each day during the growing season.

The high flats of the Paso Robles Highlands are near the eastern borders of the AVA, yet receive cooling breezes each day straight from the coast 45 miles away. San Miguel district has large rolling hills and is situated on ancient river plains’ and riverbanks that produce an intriguing blend of soils with both loam, gravel and calcareous deposits

Harvest Date: 9/24 – 9/29, 10/12-10/13, 10/28 – 10/30, 11/8

Winemaking Notes:

After harvesting the grapes, select vineyard lots were fermented individually in stainless steel tanks for 10-14 days. Extended macerations and carefully managed pump overs enhanced the extraction of color and tannin. The lots were aged separately for 11 months in a combination of 10% new, 25% once used, and 65% two to three times used French Oak.

Through a combination of tasting and analytics the best lots were determined, and the initial blend was assembled in late summer of 2022. As a whole, this blend was aged an additional two months in 75% new and 25% once used French Oak.  2021 Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon was racked just twice during its cellar life, with the final racking occurring just prior to bottling.

About The Winery:

Austin Hope, winemaker and heir of the Hope Family Vineyards, launched his eponymous label in 2000 with a focus on Rhône varieties. In 2017, he expanded his range with Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles. Hope is dedicated to producing wines of exceptional quality that accurately reflect the region’s terroir.

His Cabernet Sauvignon is marked by its deep color, concentrated fruit flavor and well-integrated tannins. With his distinct style and dedication to quality, Austin Hope is a trusted name in California winemaking.